Hoosiers have big expectations this season

FILE - In this July 24, 2013 file photo, Indiana head football coach Kevin Wilson speaks at a news conference during Big Ten football media day in Chicago. It's less than a week until Indiana's season opener, and coach Kevin still has to make a decision at quarterback. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green, File)

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - His days of helping maintain a nationally prominent program at Oklahoma must seem like ancient history to Indiana football coach Kevin Wilson.

Yet despite the Hoosiers' 5-19 struggles of the past two years, Wilson believes the foundation he has established in Bloomington is finally sturdy enough to support the weight of greater expectations. He even wishes more IU fans would jump on board and put his massive construction project to the test this season, starting with Thursday night's home opener against Indiana State.

"I'd like the outside expectations to be higher," said Wilson, who experienced defeat just 24 times in nine seasons on the Oklahoma staff. "But what we've really concentrated on for quite a while is just our organization ... We actually talk sometimes about how we don't think people expect a lot of us and try to stroke that chip on the shoulders a little bit because quite honestly I don't think people expect a lot out of us yet."

As the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma, Wilson had two Heisman Trophy winners — quarterbacks Jason White (2003) and Sam Bradford (2008). He also coached tailback Adrian Peterson, who was the 2004 Heisman runner up to Southern Cal's Matt Leinart with White finishing third.

Since accepting his first head coaching job, Wilson's ability to generate high-octane offense hasn't disappointed. Last season the Hoosiers led the Big Ten in passing offense (311.2 yards per game) while finishing second in total offense (442 yards) and fourth in scoring offense (30.8 points). They were also fourth in red-zone conversions, scoring on 44 of 51 opportunities with 34 touchdowns.

He expects the Hoosiers to be even more productive this season with perhaps his biggest challenge settling on a starting quarterback with dual threat Tre Roberson back from a broken leg suffered against Navy a year ago and Cam Coffman and Nate Sudfeld not willing to relinquish any snaps. Coffman emerged as the starter after Roberson's injury, and averaged 248.5 yards passing per game, but Sudfeld was often the super sub who shifted momentum.

"I think they are all three quality leaders. I think they're all three respected by their teammates. I don't think there are any favorites," said Wilson. "It's my job to make sure the dude coming out there is giving us the best chance to win.

"It's not about favorites, mind games, being coy or motivation," he said of the unsettled quarterback battle. "This is about winning some doggone football games. It's about time we started doing it."

The challenge will be whether co-defensive coordinators Doug Mallory and William Inge can come up with a scheme and the enough tough-minded players to slow down the opposition. While offensive coordinator Seth Littrell has created headaches for other teams, Indiana didn't do enough defensively last season to turn close games into wins. Four of the losses in a 4-8 season were by four or fewer points.

With seven defensive starters returning and 15 talented freshmen on that side of the ball, Wilson is confident the defense will be better simply because the Hoosiers will have better depth.

That need for that depth was underscored by the news Friday that junior linebacker Chase Hoobler has a stress fracture in a foot and could be sidelined for the season after missing six games in 2012.

If Hoobler doesn't play, Wilson said he expects him to still be a vocal leader for the defense — something that didn't happen after he was injured last season.

He'll expect that kind of leadership from all of his players, healthy or not.

And because of the increased depth, Wilson is considering using personnel groupings on offense to keep fresh skill players on the field. He also plans to play more first-team players on special teams.

"I think our guys have gotten to like hitting, period," said Wilson. "We like hitting each other ... There's a physical presence you want to have, and we sell that. I think our kids are embracing that.

"I think we're excited to go play a game and see where we start, and no matter where we start, how much can we grow and where can we take these guys by the end of November."